Arrangement in a recline chair

ABSTRACT

An arrangement in a chair (1), having an adjustable chair back (2) and a neck support (3), characterized in that the arrangement comprises a device (12, 15) which influences the shape of the chair back (2) in dependence of the inclination of the chair back (2). The chair provides a pronounced support for the user&#39;s lower back when the chair back (2) is in an erected sitting position, whereas the device (12, 15) renders a gradually decreasing support of the user&#39;s lower back when said chair back (2) is lowered rearwardly towards a lying position. The lumbar region support (6) co-operates with a system for regulating the neck support (3) and the return thereof to a normal position each time the chair back (2) arrives at an extreme upper or lower position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an arrangement in a recline chair,especially a recline chair having an adjustable back support in relationto the chair seat and a neck support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a plurality of different recline chairs which by means ofvarious mechanisms can be converted from a sitting position to a lyingposition.

Typical features in these chairs include a link connection between theseat and the chair back, and in some chairs the chair back can bepivoted about an axis through the pivot points between the seat andchair back. In many chairs for home use the chair back pivots about ahorizontal axis which is located somewhat higher up on the chair back,for example at level with the elbow of the user when she or he issitting in an erected position in the chair.

PRIOR ART

From EP 0 164 367 there is known a recline chair including a chair backwhich is equipped with a shell on which the back cushioning itself isprovided. However, no instructions are given therein that the shell andthe corresponding cushioning should be allowed to alter in accordancewith the various inclined positions of the chair back. This publicationis mostly concerned with a neck support which by means of an arcedextension arm can be brought to various inclined positions in relationto the chair back, namely by means of actuators, i.e. means which areprovided below the seat and extended through the chair back.

EP 0 240 389 relates to a recline chair comprising a chair backincluding three elements, and due to link mechanisms between the variouselements, the chair back will have its profile altered when beingadjusted from an erected sitting position to a rearwardly inclinedresting position. However, the three elements making up the known chairback will result in an "open" chair back, i.e. with openings or slitsbetween the various elements, which will result in a restricted numberof designs, and will depart from the principle of retaining a "whole"chair back with associated neck support.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,352 relates to a recline chair comprising a seatincluding a rearward portion pivoted for reclining of the chair and achair back having an upper portion linked to the seat for pivotal motiontherewith. This prior art chair has a fixed angle between the major areaof the seat and the major area of the chair back. Thus, the area provingsupport for the user's lower back is constant in all positions of thechair, said publication therefore giving no instructions for the type ofchair aimed for according to the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,413 relates to an articulated relaxation chair, inwhich a lumbar support member can be installed in the area of the chairback, but this lumbar support member is expanded or inflated by means ofa fluid, and then by means of a switch or button on a control panelincluded in one of the arm rests of the chair. This previously knownrecline chair will thus provide a manual adjustment of the shape of thechair back, i.e. by means of manually operated elements, such that theuser of the chair can adjust the support of the lumbar region accordingto his own wish. A disadvantage encountered by this solution is thatwhen the user alters the inclination of the chair back, there will be aneed for another adjustment of the lumbar region support.

NO 149 339 discloses an arrangement in an adjustable back and necksupport for a sitting and/or bed furniture, wherein is provided anarticulated back member which is adapted so that a person which issitting in or lying on the furniture may exercise a pressure against theback support for thereby pivoting the neck support forwardly, forthereby allowing the user to take a more erected sitting position.However, this linked or articulated mechanism will not involve analternation of the angular position of the back support, let alone theprofile thereof in the lumbar support region.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a chair, especially arecline chair adapted for giving a pronounced support for the user'slower back when the chair back is in an erected sitting position,whereas the support of the user's lower back will be gradually decreasedwhen the chair back is lowered rearwardly towards a lying position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recline chair inwhich the neck or head support will change in relation to the backsupport, such that when the chair back is lowered to a lying position,the neck support should be pivoted in the opposite direction so as tolift the head or the neck to a position which is comfortable for theuser when reading or watching TV.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a chair inwhich the shape of the chair back will be subjected to an alternationeven if the variations of the angular position of the chair back issmall.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a reclinechair in which the support of the user's lower back is really pronouncedwhen the chair back is in the fully upright position allowing for anerect sitting position of the user, and which chair should also becomfortable in all other angular positions of the chair back until thelatter is fully laid down in an approximate horizontal position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide meansinfluencing the shape of the chair back automatically, i.e. without theuse of manually operated levers or push buttons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an individualpre-adjustment of the support for the user's lower back.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a chair allowingfor a possible manual correction of the position of the neck supportwhich correction should preferably be allowed in addition to anautomatic return of the neck support to its normal position.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a chair inwhich the support for the user's lower back will be varied within alarge range of angular positions of the chair back, thereby providing amore comfortable recline chair.

The above objects are achieved in a chair of the type as stated in thepreamble, which chair according to the present invention ischaracterized in that the chair arrangement comprises means influencingthe shape of the chair back, especially in the area providing supportfor the user's lower back, in dependence of the chair back inclination.

A further feature of the present arrangement is that the meansinfluencing the shape of the chair back are adapted for giving apronounced support of the user's lower back when the chair back is in anerected sitting position, whereas said means render a graduallydecreasing support of the user's lower back when said chair back islowered rearwardly towards a lying position.

Further features of the present arrangement is to the fact that saidmeans influencing the shape of the chair back can be made dependent uponthe inclination of the chair back in relation to the arm rests of thechair or in relation to the frame of the chair.

Further features and advantages in the present arrangement will appearfrom the following description taking in conjunction with the appendingdrawings.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate schematically the differences between an ordinaryrecline chair and a chair according to the present invention includingan adjustable chair back according to the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates with solid lines a chair of simple embodiment,whereas the dashed lines illustrate the additional features ofregulating the neck support.

FIG. 5A is a schematic side view of the main features of an embodimentof a chair according to the present invention, here illustrated inerected position.

FIG. 5B is a schematic view as seen from above on a larger scale of anarea of the support for the user's lower back.

FIGS. 5C and FIG. 5D are partial schematic views of the details of thechair in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view similarly to FIG. 5A, but with the chairin a lowered position and illustrating on a larger scale further detailsof the corresponding regulating mechanism.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate further details of the regulating mechanismillustrated in FIG. 6, as seen in side view.

FIG. 8 illustrates the mechanism according to FIG. 7 in a front view.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E illustrate further details of the regulatingmechanism, especially as regards the pre-adjustment of the support forthe user's lower back.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate the mechanismswhen the chair back takes the same inclination, but with differentextreme positions of the neck support.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate the chair back in fully loweredposition, but with the neck support in erected position and the supportfor the user's lower back in fully retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1-3 which illustrate the general idea behind the presentinvention, there is generally indicated a chair by reference numeral 1,having an adjustable chair back 2 including an adjustable neck support3. The chair back 2 is appropriately pivoted about a pivot point 9 whichis fixed in relation to the frame 4, see FIG. 4 of the chair 1, so as toallow various inclined positions in relation thereto. It should beunderstood that the various inclined positions of the chair back 2 willinfluence not only the position of the chair seat 5, which will beshifted forth and back in relation to the chair frame 4, but alsoinfluence the shape of the chair back 2, especially in the area provingsupport for the user's lower back, here designated by reference numeral6, respectively.

The chair 1 also includes a pair of arm rests, here indicated withreference numeral 7, as a simplified line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, but infully solid lines in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3 there is also indicated a sliding mechanism 8 including a handoperated tightening wheel 8A allowing for bringing the presentembodiment of a recline chair to the various relative positions betweenthe chair back 2 and the chair seat 5, and it is to be understood thatthis sliding mechanism 8 belongs to the prior art and will not bediscussed in further details here.

The present invention finds specific application in connection withrecline chairs comprising a chair back 2 having its pivoting point 9approximately at level with the user's elbow, or at level with the rearportion of the arm rests 7 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. However, itshould be noted that the present invention also finds application inconnection with such recline chairs having a chair back with a pivotingpoint or pivoting axis at a level which is below the level of the armrests, for example at the level of the connection link 9A between thechair back 2 and chair seat 5, which in the present embodiment is a pureconnection link 9A moving relative to the chair frame 4 when variousinclination angles are taken by the chair back 2.

More specifically, in FIG. 1 the support for the user's lower back 6 isillustrated with a solid line as the chair back 3 takes an uprightposition, and this lumbar region support 6 is here pressed forward togive a pronounced support for the user's lower back when he is sittingin an erect position. It is to be understood that outside this lumbarregion support 6 there are provided cushioning 10 of a soft material asusual for these types of recline chairs. In this upright position asillustrated in FIG. 1, the neck support 3 constitutes a naturalelongation of the main portions of the chair back 2.

In FIG. 2 which illustrates the chair back 2 in a half-lowered position,there is shown so to say no alternation in the lumbar region support 6,but the neck support 3A, here illustrated in solid lines, has beenpivoted in the opposite direction, so as to give the user's head or necka pronounced support for the latter to have a comfortable readingposition or a comfortable position for watching TV.

However, in FIG. 3 illustrating the chair back 2 in a fully loweredposition, i.e. allowing for a lying position of the user, the lumbarregion support 6 has been removed for thereby reducing the support ofthe user's lower back, as this is illustrated by solid lines, ascompared with the lumbar region support 6A illustrated in dashed linesaccording to prior art suggestions. Besides, the neck support 3A hasbeen further pivoted in the opposite direction of the lowering directionof the chair back 2, so as to constitute a steeper support for theuser's head or neck in this lying position, so that the latter cancomfortably read or watch TV.

For the sake of simplification FIGS. 1-3 do not include a furtherfeature of the invention, namely the possibility of releasing thepivoting mechanism of the neck support 3, so as to bring the necksupport 3 back to a position as illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e. a releasedposition. Further, it has not been illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 the furtherfeature of the present invention which allows for a pre-adjustment ofthe neck support in relation to the associated chair back 2.

However, this broader aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4in which it with solid lines are illustrated four different reclinepositions 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, respectively, and wherein the dashed linesfor each position illustrate the additional possibilities of adjustingthe neck support 3, either by a manual pre-adjustment at any position oras an after-adjustment when this is required by the user to obtainoptimum comfort.

In the following there will be given a detailed description of anembodiment of a recline chair according to the present invention, andthis embodiment will provide important properties of such chairs, namelya good sitting comfort and the possibility of finding a plurality ofvarious resting positions for the user. Such recline chairs should beeasy to readjust, and since a plurality of such recline chairs can bereadjusted just by the weight of the user, i.e. when the chair has notbeen locked in a specific position, involves that the user very oftenshifts position between an erect sitting position and any slantedresting position. In this connection it is very important for thecomfort of the user that the user's lower back has a "correct" supportin any of these sitting or resting positions.

In its vertical position the spine takes the natural shape of an "S",which calls for a protrusion for supporting the lumbar region thereof,as well as for a protrusion supporting the neck. Or oppositely, there isrequired a recess in the area of the user's buttocks and shoulder area.

When the user is lying on his back, a comfortable position for the spinewould be an approximately straight position thereof. In order tocompensate for this various requirement for lumbar region support inprior art recline chairs, it is usual to provide a cushioning shapewhich is ideal when the chair back is in an intermediate inclineposition, that is somewhat rearwardly inclined, which is the mostcommonly used position.

Another prior art solution for providing a varying lumbar region supportis to use a soft cushioning material, such that the lumbar region due tocompression of the cushioning material during use will take a straightershape in lying position than in sitting position. However, the users ofsuch embodiments often complain that the lumbar region support is toosoft or weak when using the chair in upright position, and toopronounced when using the chair in a fully lowered position. They alsocomplain about the size of the neck support or the neck pillow whichfeels too large and too advanced in the erected position of the chair,and which feels too small in the fully lowered position, especially whenthe user is to watch TV or read.

As indicated above under the heading "prior art" there are previouslyknown solutions for altering the shape of the chair back, includingmanually operated systems through which the user by means of variouscontrol means can change the position of the neck support or the lumbarregion support according to his own wish. In connection with suchsolutions the user of such chairs is enfaced with the disadvantage thatupon alternation of the inclination of the chair back there arises aneed for another adjustment of the lumbar region support.

Further, the prior art also discloses a plurality of solutions giving anautomatic alteration of the shape of the chair back in dependence of thechair back inclination, but such automatic means are associated withchairs in which the chair seat has no horizontal movement when analteration of the chair back inclination is effected. Usually thepivoting axis for chair backs in such types of chairs are positioned atthe rear portion of the chair seat.

Said prior art solutions can be appropriate in chairs without arm rests,but in chair where arm rests are included, the user is enfaced with thedisadvantage that the chair back in fully lowered position will give avery unfavourable position related to any arm rests.

In the following embodiment of a recline chair according to theinvention, the shape of the chair back, especially in the area providingsupport for the user's lower back, will be changed or adjusted independence of the inclination of the chair back, such that the chairback renders a pronounced support for the lumbar region of the user whenthe chair is in an upright position, which lumbar region support will begradually decreased as the chair back is inclined more and more towardsan approximately horizontal position.

As appearing from FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B there is on each side of the chairback 2 provided an element 12 which is fixedly mounted in relation tosaid chair back 2, namely in relation to the frame 4 (see FIG. 3), butin the vicinity of the pivoting axis 9 of said chair back 2.

The element 12 will thus during the assembly of the chair 1 have itscentral area mounted stationary in relation to the arm rest 7 of thechair 1. However, the angular position of the element 12 in relation tothe pivoting axis 9 or the frame of the chair back 2 is decided duringthe mounting thereof, and this angular position will determine howpronounced the support for the user's lower back should be, especiallywhen the chair back 2 is in erected position. Further, it is to beunderstood that in a specific embodiment of the arrangement according tothe present invention there is included an adjustment means 14 forappropriate adjustment of said angular position of said element 12.

Consequently, the selection of the angular position of said element 12is decisive of whether the lumbar region support 6 should be more orless pronounced, and in the present embodiment this angular position ofthe elements 2 will also be decisive as to whether the neck support 3should be more or less pronounced or retracted in the various positionsof the chair back 2. In the present embodiment the angular position ofthe element 12 regulating the support of the user's lower back 6 willalso influence the inclination of the neck support 3 through a mechanismwhich will be disclosed in detail in the following.

As illustrated especially in FIG. 5B, the element 12 comprises an endportion 16 extending downwardly and inwardly from the pivoting point 9of the chair back 2 or chair back frame 2, which end portion 16 islocated below the pivoting axis 9 of the element 12, so as to be intouch or in contact with the springs 15 or any other appropriate elementconstituting the lumbar region support 6 in dependence of theinclination of the chair back 2. The springs 15 will thus be pressedforwardly or biased very much to constitute a pronounced support for theuser's lower back when the chair back 2 is in erected position, whereassaid springs 15 will be removed from said element 12 and therebyconstitute a less pronounced lumbar support when the chair back 2 istaking a more rearwardly inclined position. In the present embodimentthere are chosen springs 15 as lumbar region support 6, but in othercases it should be understood that other appropriately stiff elementscould possibly be used.

As appearing from FIG. 5A and FIG. 6, the element 12 also comprises asecond end portion 17 which is located above the pivoting axis 9 of saidchair back 2, and which is connected to a pulling rod 18 through anappropriate link. The pulling rod 18 extends along the chair back 2 andis at its upper end provided with a link connection 19 attached to thelower end of the neck support 3 and 3A.

The length of the pulling rod 18 and the location of the lower link 17and the upper link 19 thereof is chosen so that the neck support 3 cantake an angular position in relation to the chair back 2 whichrepresents an approximate "normal position" both in erected and loweredposition of said chair back 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 and especially in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8 thepulling rod 18 can be provided with means allowing for a lengthvariation of said pulling rod 18 as well as a locking of any appropriatelength thereof anywhere within extreme limits which can be included insuch additional means.

The adjustable pulling rod 18 comprises a pipe 18a which is pivotallymounted in said link 19. An extension 18b of said pipe 18a made ofprofile iron constitutes a bracket for a spring 22 and is at the endportion shaped as a stopper against an element 23 for thereby physicallylimiting the maximum length of said pulling rod 18.

The pulling rod 18 also comprises a shaft 21 which is pivotally mountedthrough the upper end portion 17 of said element 12 and extends throughsaid spring 22, such that the shaft 21 and the helical portion 22B ofsaid spring 12 have a common center line, said shaft 21 also passingthrough said pipe 18a for together with the latter to constitute aguiding means. Said spring 22 has been given a diameter which is verymuch smaller than the diameter of said shaft 22, which means that thehelical portion 22b of said spring 22 will exercise a necessary holdingforce for being attached to said shaft 21.

In order to reduce the possibility of any twisting, there is in thepresent embodiment chosen a double spring made from steel wire, but alsoa simple spring will principally give the same function. Appropriately,the helical portion 22A of said spring may have a space between eachturn.

This type of spring 22, 22a will have the following properties. Byexercising a pressure on the free ends 22a of said spring 22, namelytransversally to the center line of the shaft 21, a pressure indirection away from said shaft 21 will reduce the gripping force againstsaid shaft and said spring 22 will consequently be loosened. Oppositely,if pressure is exercized in direction towards said shaft 21, thegripping power of said spring 22 will be increased. Correspondingly, byexercizing a pressure in axial direction towards said spring 22, 22b,the spaces between the turns of the helical portion 22b will decreaseand the fastening grip thereof will loosen, whereas a pressure on thespring 22 in a direction opening at said spaces between the spring turnswill increase the gripping function thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment the free ends 22c of the helical spring22a is threaded through holes in the extension 18b of the pipe 18a forthereby constituting a so to say affixed connection with the pipe 18aand the extension 18b, but with some clearance therebetween.

Said free end 22a of the springs 22 are in this embodiment shaped andlocated such that they can be passed out through the cushioning and thecover of the chair back 2, for thereby constituting an operating meanswhich can be operated by the user for changing the length of the pullingrod 18, and thereby the angular position of the neck support 3.Individual positioning of the neck support 3 can be chosen by the userof the chair 1 by pushing the spring 22 rearwardly, for example by meansof his elbow, whereby the gripping function of said spring 22 isreleased and whereby the neck support 3 can be shifted to a desiredposition. The extreme outer positions of the neck support 3 is decidedthrough mechanical end stops. When said neck support 3 is shifted to anend stop, but when the chair back 2 is away from any end stop position,then the helical portion 22b of said spring 22 will abut against eitherthe end portion 18c of said pipe 18a or against the end of saidpreviously mentioned element 23 depending on whether the seat back 2 isshifted towards an erected or towards a lowered position. The followingcompression of the helical spring 22b will release said spring from theshaft 21, and the chair back 2 can be shifted towards its extremeposition, and at the same time the neck rest or neck support 3 will takethe corresponding extreme outer position. In the present embodiment theneck support 3 will return to its "normal position" each time the chairback 2 arrive at an extreme outer position, independent of how the userpreviously has set neck support.

In FIGS. 9A-E it is illustrated how the chair frame 2 is provided with abearing means 27 around which the chair back 2 can be pivoted. Thebearing means 27 comprises a bolt 24 in which a first end constitutes afixed connection with said lumbar region support element 12, for examplethrough a square washer. The second end of said bolt 24 comprises anaxial bore 24a provided with threads and a tapped end surface fittingtogether with the end of a sleeve 34. The sleeve 34 has an axial borecorresponding to the bolt 24, i.e. having a diameter fitting to thenon-threaded portion of said bolt 24.

By assembling the sleeve 34 and the bolt 24 in connection with a screw35, there is provided a fixed and directionally decided connectionbetween the arm rests 7 and said sleeve 34, said bolt 24 and said lumbarback region supporting element 12. This assembly is designed to transferthe necessary forces for changing the position of the chair back.

It should be noted that in a second embodiment which allows for anywanted adjustment of lumbar region support, the sleeve 34 can beattached to the arm rest 7, such that said sleeve 34 could be turnedaround its longitudinal axis in relation to said arm rest 7 by means ofan appropriate adjustment device.

The end of said sleeve 34 having a threaded portion can extend throughthe cushioning of the chair and the cover thereof, such that theassembly of the chair back is simplified.

Further, it should be noted that all the elements of the chair back canbe designed and pre-mounted in such a manner that a complete chair backframe included all its functions can be moulded into a foam cushioning.

In FIG. 9D it is illustrated a mounting hole 36 for the cushioning coverof the arm rest 7.

FIGS. 10A-D and 11A-C illustrate both the chair back 2 having the sameslanting position, but with the neck support 3 in their two extremepositions, respectively. In FIGS. 10A-D there is indicated that thestopping abutment for the neck support 3 can be moved between saidelement 23 and said extension 18b of the pipe 18.

FIGS. 11A-C illustrate the limitation of the movement of the neck rest 3is provided by the element 23 abutting against the end portion 18c ofthe pipe 18a, whereas the spring 22b is positioning therebetween as anintermediate element.

The end surface of the element 23 is provided with a bore through whichthe shaft 23 can extend freely. This will ensure that the stopper iskept in correct position.

FIGS. 12A-C illustrate the chair back 2 in its fully lowered position,and with the neck support 3 in same position as stated in FIG. 11A, andwith the lumbar region support 6 in fully retracted position.

As disclosed above, the present arrangement provides a recline chair inwhich the means for influencing the shape of the chair back are adaptedfor giving a pronounced support for the user's lower back when the chairback is in an erected sitting position, whereas said means render agradually decreasing support of the user's lower back when said chairback is lowered rearwardly toward a lying position.

It has been found that three particular fields of application for suchrecline chairs put up various requirements as to the adjustment of theneck support in relation to the inclination of the chair back. Thewatching of TV requires the largest movements. Reading and the use ofthe chair as a normal sitting chair requires an intermediate positionwhich is called "normal position" involving a slight adjustment of theangular position of the neck rest relation to the associated chair backposition. The resting position or the lying position requires almost thesame angular position of the neck rest as the upright position of thechair.

The present chair arrangement allows for manual alteration of theadjustment of neck rest for adapting to TV watching, reading or resting,including automatic reestablishing of the normal position thereof.

The above embodiment has been disclosed in connection with a chair,wherein the chair back pivots about an axis extending horizontallythrough said chair back, or somewhat below the height of the elbow ofthe user. When the chair back of such chairs are inclined rearwardly,the rear portion 5A of the seat will be moved along a circular pathhaving its center in the pivoting axis 9 of the chair back 2.

An advantage related thereto is that the arm rests 7 are always in acomfortable position.

In chairs having a high chair back, the upper portion of the back willbe shaped as a neck rest, and when design requirements do not include apartition between the chair back and the neck support, one will beenfaced with the problem slackening and tensioning of the cover when theposition of the neck rest is altered in relation to the chair back.

However, in the present arrangement due attention can be taken whendesigning the cushioning and cover.

On the rear side of the chair back it is often desired to have a plainsurface without wrinkles and pleats, and if usual hinges in connectionwith the connection between the chair back and the neck rest is chosen,this will involve that the pivoting axis of the neck support will bepositioned at a distance from the rear cover when the frame is to behidden by the cover, and this distance may be of large value, a factwhich can be amplified when an arced rear chair back is wanted.

In order to avoid the usual tensioning and slackening of the cover thereshould according to the present invention be used a circular guidinginstead of a hinge. This will give a theoretic pivoting axis in theconnection between a chair back and neck rest which can be positioned sofar behind the chair back frame that the tightening and slackening ofthe cover is reduced to a minimum.

In summary, it can be said that the present invention finds particularapplication in connection with a recline chair in which the chair backcan be pivoted about an axis positioned close to the arm rest.

The adjusting mechanism can thereby be associated with the movement ofthe arm rests.

Further, the present arrangement provides for a directional connectionbetween chair back and suspension of the chair back, i.e. between thesleeve 34 and the mounting bolt 24.

The present invention also provides for an adjustment device inconnection with the arm rests for providing a pronounced support for theuser's lower back and a gradually reducing support when the chair backis lowered.

The length of the pulling rod between the chair frame and the neck restcan be varied, and provide for individual adjustment of the neck rest.

The regulating mechanism for the length of the pulling rod also providesfor automatic return of the neck rest after manual regulation.

The arc-shaped guiding providing for connection between the neck supportand the chair frame renders a possibility for a pivoting point havingits theoretical center outside the chair back.

We claim:
 1. Arrangement in a recline chair, including a chair back (2)adjustable in relationship to a chair seat (5), and a neck support (3),said chair back (2) being mounted to pivot around a horizontal,stationary axis (9) in relation to a chair frame (4) and at a lower endof said chair back (2) being hinged to the chair seat (5) through aconnection link (9A) so that various inclined positions of the chairback (2) about the axis (9) will shift the chair seat (5) back and forthin relation to the chair frame (4) via a chair seat sliding mechanism(8), said chair back (2) also comprising appropriately resilientelements (15) mounted behind cushioning of the chair back (2) andconstituting a lumbar region support (6), characterized in that thearrangement comprises influencing means (12) arranged stationary in thearea of said axis (9) and inside the cushioning of said chair back (2),said influencing means comprising an end portion (16) extendingdownwardly and inwardly from the axis (9) of the chair back (2) so as tobe in contact with said resilient elements (15) constituting the lumbarregion support (6) of the chair back (2) in dependence of theinclination of the chair back (2), said resilient elements (15) thusbeing pressed forwardly by said downwardly extending end portion (16) toconstitute a pronounced support for the user's lower back when the chairback (2) is in erected position and said chair seat (5) retracted closerto said axis (9), whereas said resilient elements (15) will be removedfrom said end portion of said influencing means (12) and therebyconstitute a less pronounced lumbar support when the chair back (2) isin a more rearwardly inclined position and said chair seat (5) isdisplaced further away from said axis (9).
 2. Arrangement as claimed inclaim 1 characterized in that the influencing means (12) influencing theshape of the lumbar region support (6) of the chair back (2), depends onthe inclination of the chair back (2) relative to stationary arm rests(7) of the chair (1).
 3. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that it comprises a bearing (27) in which the chairback (2) can pivot, said bearing (27) holding a bolt means (24) which atthe one end is fixedly connected to the influencing means (12), whereasthe opposite end of said bolt means (24) comprises an axial boreprovided with threads and a tapped end surface (24a) as well as aregulating means (34) adapted to the tapped end surface (24a) of saidbolt means (24) and being screwed thereonto by means of a bolt (35). 4.Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that saidinfluencing means (12) is adapted to be pre-adjusted around said axis(9) for thereby regulating the most pronounced lumbar region support inthe upright position of the chair back (2).
 5. Arrangement as claimed inclaim 1 or 4, characterized in that said resilient elements (15) arearranged transversely between side frames of the chair back (2) andattached to said side frames by suspension points such that thesuspension points thereof are influenced by the stationary end portion(16), respectively, of said influencing means (12) depending on theangular position of the chair back (2), said suspension points of theresilient elements (15) being pressed forwardly by said influencingmeans for thereby giving a more pronounced but resilient lumbar regionsupport (6) for the user's lower back when the chair back (2) is inerected position, whereas said resilient elements (15) render agradually decreasing but resilient lumbar region support (6) for theuser's lower back when said chair back is lowered rearwardly towards alaying position, by being brought out of a biasing range of saidinfluencing means (12) which thereby releases its forwardly pressinginfluence thereon.
 6. Arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterizedin that the influencing means (12) influencing the shape of theresilient lumbar region support (6) of the chair back (2), depends onthe inclination of the chair back (2) relative to stationary arm rests(7) of the chair (1).
 7. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that said neck support (3) is adjustable in relation tothe relative inclined positions of the chair back (2), said neck support(3) comprising an arced guide (29) located in a rear portion of thechair back (2) so as to reduce tightening and slackening of a chaircover in the area of said neck support (3).
 8. Arrangement as claimed inclaim 7, characterized in that the influencing means (12) is soconnected to the neck support (3) that by pre-adjusting the influencingmeans (12) for pronounced lumbar region support, the neck support (3)will take a more rearwardly directed position, whereas with a lesspronounced lumbar region support preset by the influencing means (12)there is allowed for a more forwardly inclined position of the necksupport (3).
 9. Arrangement as claimed in claim 7 characterized in thatbetween the influencing means (12) and the neck support (3) there isprovided a rod (18), the length thereof and the location of an upperattachment point (19) to the neck support (3) and a lower attachmentpoint (17) being so adapted that the neck support (3) can take anapproximate normal position both in raised and lowered positions of thechair back (2).
 10. Arrangement as claimed in claim 9, characterized inthat the rod (18) comprises regulating means (18a, 18b, 21) as well aslocking means (22, 22a , 22b) for adjusting the length of said rod (18)and thereby an inclined position of the neck support (3) in relation tothe chair back (2).
 11. Arrangement as claimed in claim 10,characterized in that the rod (18) comprises a shaft (21) which can beguided in a pipe (18a), and that in a transition between the pipe (18a)and the shaft (21) there is provided an operable locking means (22, 22a,22b) which in uninfluenced condition locks the shaft (21) and the pipe(18a) in relation to each other for thereby giving the rod (18) apre-determined length, but which upon operation releases the lockingeffect and allows for an alternation of the length of the rod (18), andthereby the inclined position of the neck support (3) in relation to thechair back (2).
 12. Arrangement as claimed in claim 10 characterized inthat the locking means (22, 22a, 22b) is adapted so as to enable lockingof the neck support (3) between end stoppers (18c, 23) independent ofthe more erected position of the chair back (2).
 13. Arrangement asclaimed in claim 10, characterized in that the locking means (22, 22a,22b) is adapted so that upon a shifting of the chair back (2) towards anextreme position without the neck support (3) in the correspondingextreme position, the movement of the chair back (2) will influence thelocking means (22, 22a, 22b) with the corresponding end stopper (18c,23) to release the locking means (22, 22a, 22b), such that the chairback (2) and the neck support (3) move simultaneously towards therespective corresponding extreme position.
 14. Arrangement as claimed inclaim 13, characterized in that it comprises a bearing (27) in which thechair back (2) can pivot, said bearing (27) holding a bolt means (24)which at one end is fixedly connected to the influencing means (12),whereas the opposite end of said bolt means (24) comprises an axial boreprovided with threads and a tapped end surface (24a) as well as aregulating means (34) adapted to the tapped end surface (24a) of saidbolt means (24) and being screwed thereonto by means of a bolt (35).